Finding A Flat Roof Leak

How to locate the source of a roof leak begin by locating the leak on the inside of the home.

Finding a flat roof leak.

Finding the actual spot where the roof leaks is difficult because water can enter the roof in one place and run down to another before it starts soaking into the ceiling. For example soak the downhill side of a chimney first then each side then the top on both sides. Look for any low spots on the roof that might hold pooling water. The goal is to find the leak before the entire roof goes bad.

Flat roof leak roofs can be a devil to locate. So all you need to do is simply follow it up to its source. Confirm that the source of the water on the inside of the home is a result of a roof leak and not due to a problem associated with other components of the home. How to find a leak in a flat roof the problem with finding a leak in a flat roof that sets it apart from finding one in a sloped roof is that the water can run in any direction.

Isolate areas when you run the hose. The reason is that water can enter one spot and not really express itself inside until it is far away from the leak. Wait inside for several minutes for the water to begin to drip. If a leak is difficult to find enlist a helper and go up on the roof with a garden hose.

With a traditional sloped roof a leak can be found quite easily as water will flow in a downward motion. Start low soaking the area just above where the leak appears in the house. Roofers use a combination of visual inspection and moisture meters to scan membrane coated roofs to find the wet areas below the membrane and thus the probable leak point usually at a seam mechanical damage a roof penetration or at a roof drain. How to find a leak on a flat roof the best time to look for a leak is when the roof has been dry for at least three days and in the evening night time when after cooling down the flat roof leak hot spot will release heat that has stored underneath the hole during the day.

The same thing can happen on sloped roofs however you can usually discount all the roof area below the area where you see the leak. Inspect all the seams of your flat roofing system and look for flaws or broken seals. Run water from a garden hose along any potential trouble spots. Below is an example of a compromised flat roof.

If you still cannot find the leak systematically wet down the roof. See membrane single ply roofs.